Speaking of birthdays, I was born in the city where we now wait for a connecting flight.  I couldn't resist standing in line for a Chicago-style hot dog during our layover.  But just as fish 'n chips in New Zealand are served wrapped in newspaper, I remember as a child noticing how Chicago hot dogs were purchased wrapped in paper with home made fries, cut fresh with the potato skins.  I seem to remember that the same place served tamales?  That was a long time ago.  With two older brothers and an older sister in the same car as Mom & Dad ('57 Chevy), a number of hot dogs were required to feed the family.

Reminds me of the comedian who mentioned how he kept a diary from the very first day of his birth . . .
Day one:  "Still tired from the move."
Day two:  "Everyone talks to me like I'm an idiot."

It's funny, I find myself talking to our pet cats the way many people talk to babies.

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Everyone that I spoke with seemed to be very moved by the worship experience at Oklahoma Christian last evening.  It was amazing to witness how well the congregation became VERY soft when I asked, contrasting with the loud sections - as well as following my extreme fluctuations in tempo.  As Howard Norton (now working at Harding) spoke of his love for Brazil, I could not help but remember all the amazing people we met on our tour there last year.  I pray that another opportunity comes for Acappella to return.  The Brazilians even mentioned the idea of stadium concerts at some point.  Now THAT would be a first for Acappella. 

This morning we were invited to a breakfast at the home of Mike O'Neil, the president of Oklahoma Christian.  Since most of this day has been dedicated to travel, I'm finding today to be a little more difficult than yesterday - when I had the unusually busy slate of assignments.

I did not intend for my blog to become this kind of diary of sorts, but composing this post is helping me stay awake in hopes of a good night's rest this evening.  I believe that in Brisbane it's about 9:20 AM on Sunday morning at the moment.  Can't wait to go back there too. . .

We enjoyed our visit to this coastal Brazilian city.



See the gallery here.

Who put this schedule together?  I may need to fire him. . . (Oh, it was me!  Or, shouldn't I say, "It was I?")

When the New Zealand invitation was finalized, the timing bookended right up to classes I was scheduled to teach today at Oklahoma Christian's QUEST (practical lectures for church leaders).  Thankfully, I have made it through the roughest part of being jet-lagged directly into assignments here in the U.S.A.

Here's what the schedule looked like:
We left New Zealand on Thursday (Christ Church, around 2:00 P.M.).
Routing to another connecting flight, we departed Auckland for our trans-Pacific leg, viewing the sun going down on Thursday evening.
After crossing the International Date Line, we landed in Los Angeles on Thursday morning.
We were processed through customs to catch a different airline which routed us to Denver.
Flying out of Denver last evening, we witnessed the sun set for the second Thursday in a row. (We lived through two Thursdays this week.)
Finally landing in Oklahoma City to arrive at our accommodations at 11:00 P.M.

It's a good thing our arrival was not any later, because my first class this morning was at 8:00 A.M. !
The last time I returned from Australia, I recall dealing with jet lag for five days.  This time, we prayed that I could adapt quickly to handle today's schedule:

8:00 A.M. One hour class - "Breathing Life Into Worship"
10:00 A.M. One hour class - "Restoring 4 Part Harmony 1"
3:00 P.M.  One hour class - "Restoring 4 Part Harmony 2"
7:30 P.M.  Leading Worship

I'm happy to report that I'm doing fine and have finished the day's classes (God has answered our prayers - in spite of my crowded planning.)  I lead worship tonight at 7:30 P.M., as Howard Norton will be speaking in Hardeman Auditorium.

Tomorrow we fly to our second home away from home - Knoxville.  It will be great to see our church family at Farragut.  I'm sure that our son, Anthony has been doing a wonderful job of leading the worship while we were gone.

When we arrive at our home in Nashville on Sunday night, it will mark three weeks since we flew from Indianapolis (our third Praise & Harmony workshop in Noblesville) to Brisbane, Australia.  It's hard to believe how much has happened in three weeks time, if you include the Praise & Harmony workshop in Indiana, on to Brisbane, Sydney, Tauranga, Auckland, The South Island to Oklahoma City concluding with Knoxville on Sunday.)

It's safe to say that Monday and Tuesday I'll need to plan some rest time to catch my breath and retain my sanity (and some sense of coherency.)

Am I being coherent? 

Gidday Mates.

Today is my birthday.  This year, I won't get to celebrate in the most recent tradition by going to the Mellow Mushroom with our family.

I'm an incredibly blessed person.  Thank you for being a blessing to my life.

God is so good.

I have not been able to respond to messages for the time of our travels here in New Zealand and Australia.  I'll try to catch up when we return to the U.S.

I have so much information to share with you soon.  Let me say this, GOD has truly blessed our time with the churches in the South Pacific!  Amazing trip.  Simply, amazing.

Here's a higher quality version of Acappella's music video of the song, All Men Will Know - directed by Ryan Smith.

   

 Or go to this link to see a larger version.

One of my all-time favorite photos that I captured years ago with my first digital camera - a Sony point and shoot.

What is your favorite upbeat worship song of celebration?

We are conducting Praise & Harmony workshops in New Zealand as well.  I haven't found an opportunity to update you on our Australia visit, but plan to do so in the month of June.

Come join us for ACAFEST and Lipscomb's Summer Celebration July 4th week.  I'll be leading singing on July 4th after my friends, the SouthSide Singers from Rogersville, Alabama inspire us.  ACAPPELLA will be presenting a concert before the fireworks.

Randy said the next time I visit him he'll let me drive this vehicle.  You will not believe the speed.  This is an older video, and the Atom has since eclipsed its speed of zero to sixty in 2.9 seconds.

My friend, Randy Lamp, owns a very fast and lightweight car - the Ariel Atom.  He also directs a festival for fans of this this amazing street-legal vehicle that is breaking speed records.  Check out this video.

This has to be one of the most photogenic cities in the entire world!

With the exception of big events, homecoming celebrations and "bring your neighbor days," what is the most advanced planning you've conducted for your worship services?

Some things I forgot about traveling to Australia:
1.  How long it takes to get over jet lag.
2.  How loud the wild and crazy birds can sound as they wake you in the morning.
3.  How friendly the people are.
4.  How many words have completely different meanings than what I'm used to.

What do you call the trunk of an automobile?
What do you call a school of K through 12?

What words are you aware of that mean different things between Australia and the U.S.A.?

Some of you may remember the song, "Listen To Him" from Acappella's Rescue album.  As with many songs I have written, a favored approach has been to write Scripturally-based songs.  Some are word-per-word while others follow the narrative.  The song "Listen To Him" recounts the Biblical account of the transfiguration of Jesus - and what an amazing story it is!

It's encouraging to hear people tell us how our songs have helped them to learn Scripture, and that while reading the Bible, they come across passages that they have been "singing" and hearing for years through our albums.

I can't help but smile as I remember this humorous experience from well over fifteen years ago. I don't remember the year that Acappella was singing for a special event in St. Louis when a new Christian spoke to me about her delightful discovery.  She was so excited, and very surprised when she came across the transfiguration account in the New Testament.  She knew of the song, "Listen To Him" and only after a period of time, came to the realization that, "Hey, that's in the Bible!"

What an imagination that would have been required for me to make up such a story.

The South Side Singers are among many groups from around the country that will be appearing in Houston, Texas, November 27 - 29 for the CAMA awards.  For more information, check out this link.

Here's a hint:



If you say "zoo," you'd be right.  This picture was taken at a zoo.  But on which continent?
Now, to give you the ultimate hint: this furry creature is native to this continent.

I really enjoy learning brief lines that contain powerful distillations of theological wisdom.  I'd like to share some from time to time and would love to hear the ones you have collected.  This phrase was included in Charles Hodges book:

If this was where you lived, would you need an elevator to go home?

At your congregation, does the sermon always conclude with an "invitation call?"